On two problems concerning Eberlein compacta (Q2037039): Difference between revisions

It is a well-known fact that a compact space is Eberlein if and only if it embeds into \(c_0(\Gamma)\) for some set \(\Gamma\), where \(c_0(\Gamma)\) is endowed with the product topology inherited from \(\mathbb{R}^\Gamma\). For every \(n\in \mathbb{N}\), denote by \(\mathcal{EC}_n\) the class of all compact spaces \(K\) that can be embedded into \(c_0(\Gamma)\) in such a way that \(K\) consists of characteristic functions of sets of cardinality \(\leq n\). This class was studied in a previous article of the author [Stud. Math. 156, No. 3, 295--302 (2003; Zbl 1026.46005)], where he showed that a compact space \(K\) belongs to the class \(\mathcal{EC}_n\) for some \(n\in \mathbb{N}\) if and only if \(C(K)\) is isomorphic to \(c_0(\Gamma)\) for some set \(\Gamma\), if and only if \(C(K)\) is isomorphic to a subspace of \(c_0(\Gamma)\) for some set \(\Gamma\). A simple consequence of this characterization is that the class \(\mathcal{EC}_{<\omega}=\bigcup_{n<\omega} \mathcal{EC}_{n}\) is stable under continuous images. Although the class of Eberlein compacta and several subclasses like classes of uniform Eberlein compacta, scattered Eberlein compacta, scattered Eberlein compacta of height \(\leq n\), are preserved by continuous images, the author shows that the class \(\mathcal{EC}_2\) is not stable under continuous images. In general, he proves that for every \(n \in \mathbb{N}\) there exists a natural number \(k(n)\) such that any continuous image of a compact space in \(\mathcal{EC}_n\) belongs to \(\mathcal{EC}_{k(n)}\) and that \(3\) is the optimal value of the integer \(k(2)\). Finding the formula for the optimal value \(k(n)\) for each \(n\in \mathbb{N}\) is left as an open problem. On the other hand, the author provides, assuming the existence of a Luzin set, the first example of a nonmetrizable Eberlein compact space $K$ without closed nonmetrizable zero-dimensional subspaces. Furthermore, he also proves that it is consistent with ZFC that each Eberlein compact space of weight \(>\omega_1\) contains a nonmetrizable closed zero-dimensional subspace. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether it is consistent that every Eberlein compact contains a nonmetrizable closed zero-dimensional subspace.